Tattered Past

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Writers write. Family historians research and write. Memoirists remember and write. Everybody should write, every day.

I love to write. I love to read. I love to read about writing. I love to hang out with writers. It becomes a way of life.

In her book Julia Cameron suggests a practice called "morning pages." First thing in the morning I write three pages in a journal on whatever comes to mind. I keep my hand moving and don't worry about grammar, punctuation or spelling. I don't worry about it making sense. I just write. Over the years it has become such a part of me to unload, drain, practice in this way that my husband can tell when I haven't been doing it. It keeps me sane and in touch with my feelings.

I continue by writing during the day. Memoirs, family stories, poems or just fiction stories that come to mind. I write in my writer's group. I write this blog. I write articles on Arizona history and the second edition of my book.

It is a proven fact that journaling is beneficial in all types of mental and emotional wellness. People are told to write letters to family members who have passed on. To write about disturbing childhood memories. Why not write about good things too? It is also proven that the more you write the more you remember. Each layer of memories peels off to reveal more memories.

Today, start writing down the family stories, your own stories. Write them for the future. Also, write about yourself and your life for you. Keep the hand moving. Pen or pencil and paper is all you need.

I remember fishing at Greene's. We had to pass through a number of gates to get to the creek. At each one Granddad got out of the car, opened the pasture gate, got back in, drove through, got out and closed the gate just to drive on to the next gate.

We mostly caught catfish and sometimes bony perch. One time Granddad let up a whoop that practically echoed off the hills. He'd caught a snapping turtle. I don't remember what all happened but I do remember my mother cleaning the fish, the turtle and some frogs. We didn't have to go to France for frog legs.

Some of my favorite books on creativity and writing:

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You by Ray Bradbury

Remember the Children of the Holocaust

Kreativ Blogger Award

A to Z Challenge - 2014

National Novel Writers Month

About Me

A few things I enjoy:
Photography, mixed media art, researching history, writing, history of the Old West, genealogy, being with friends, Tombstone history, discovering myself, reading, and teaching what I have learned about these things.
Things I love:
My family, my home, and my dog.